An Adventure in Faith

I’ve always had a complicated relationship with making big decisions. On one hand, I dislike the pressure of making a life-changing decision. Yet, I love it at the same time because I love adventures. And once a big choice is made, I get to go on the grand adventure of chasing the outcome.

When I was 17 and it was time to choose a college, I set my heart on an expensive, out-of-state private school. My parents encouraged me to apply to other schools that were cheaper and closer to home, just in case I didn’t get in to my first choice or the funds didn’t work out.

I was stubborn and applied to just the one I wanted to go to. In my refusal to apply to other colleges, they broke the news to me—we simply couldn’t afford my school.

I, in turn, explained to them that God and I had an arrangement, and He’d work out the funds. I didn’t know how, but He would and they just needed to have faith.

This was one of the first times that I stepped out in faith and truly tested God’s Word. I chose a seemingly impossible direction because I looked at what God had done for me, matched with the gifts He gave me, and searched for a place where I could grow in what I believed He had called me to. I chose my school for Him. Not for me.

As a member of the kingdom of God, everything we do should be devoted to God and making the Kingdom greater. He commands it of us in Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (NIV)

When we realize that the Kingdom is ultimately what matters in the grand scheme of our lives, God can finally lead us in the way He wants us to go. Our hearts become aligned with His, and our desires begin to reflect His. And through those desires, “Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.” Proverbs 15:20 (NIV)

It should be said that there is no way of knowing the end of a journey, but that is for God to work out (Proverbs 15:21). For me, the way I should go isn’t obvious and never really was—I’m not that perceptive. But when I did make a choice, I sought the Lord, prayed for months, and dedicated my final decision to the Kingdom.

And if God commands us to seek His Kingdom, surely He will give us what we need to do that. The success rate of true faith is through the roof. I got into my school, and with seemingly impossible odds, it was paid off before I graduated. To this day, my family and I can’t make sense of the math. And since then, I’ve made so many more scary steps in faith, and ended up with richer blessings than I expected.

Faith pays off. Incredible, daring, adventurous faith in the name of pursuing God’s Kingdom will not fail. So dream big, because you can’t dream too big for God. Try moving in that desire that He’s given you and see what happens. Chase a God-given dream with the gifts He’s given you and a heart full of faith, and walk into the unknown knowing that He knows exactly where you’re going.

What decision has God put in front of you today? How has He called you to use your talents and gifts?

Copyright © 2017 Sarah Limardo. Used by permission.